The health equity gap is not a new issue, nor is it a fresh topic of conversation in our society. Attempts have been made to address it, but many of these efforts have been hindered by a general lack of commitment. In fact, several billion dollars have been spent by payers, providers, and pharmaceutical companies in recent decades on social impact investing to address determinants of health, yet inequities still exist.
By making healthcare more accessible, addressing unmet needs, personalizing care for patients, and taking into account the historical context of the communities they serve, digital solutions can increase equity.
Digital tools improve equity by increasing healthcare access, addressing unmet needs and personalizing care for patients, and considering the historical context within the communities they serve. Digital health solutions have the potential to make healthcare more equitable.
Telehealth is now a core tenet of healthcare delivery. Here’s how:
Increase access to healthcare
Digital technology can reduce the equity gap in a number of ways, including expediting complex medical bureaucracy procedures and removing travel and transportation barriers to healthcare.
For many patients, such as those in rural areas, the limited availability of providers and the costs associated with travel and time away from work are barriers to care. Rugged medical tablets are used to offer remote care allowing anyone to see a health care provider, mental health counselor or nurse via online video or phone chats. Medical tablets significantly increase the availability of telemedicine and improve access for those who could not reliably attend in-person consultations.
Faster & More Accurate Access to Patient Records
One of the most widespread uses of technology in healthcare is the adoption of electronic health records (EHR). EHRs make patient health information instantly accessible to providers and patients by supporting automated workflows between people and technologies.
Medical rugged tables make it easier to share information. To track health information and maintain consensus, medical tablets can download data from the patient portal. Patients can access their EHR on the patient portal without having to call the doctor’s office to find out the results of their tests. Using the same current information, care teams are able to coordinate decision-making. Additionally, administrative staff spends less time making phone calls to share information and shuffle records.
Address unmet needs
Telehealth can be widely utilized to expand the use of diagnostic and triage tools, particularly among those with chronic conditions. Patients with chronic conditions can use telehealth rather than visiting clinics or doctors to help manage their conditions. Telehealth is serving a previously unmet need for proactive healthcare. For example, Telehealth has increased the willingness of patients to seek mental healthcare, with 25% of survey respondents indicating they opted for telehealth sessions to address new mental health conditions. Medical tablets are equipped with cameras that enable viewing of the patient as well as large screens for administering care.
Patients engaging in telehealth experience high-quality care regardless of geographic location. This results in time and cost savings and improved disease management. From diagnostics to disease management, providers and patients are reaping the benefits of technology in healthcare.